The Department of Political Science hosted the first Arkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp at the University of Central Arkansas on July 23-28, 2017. Thirty-five Arkansas high school students participated in a unique, interactive learning experience designed to enhance their understanding of international relations, diplomacy, and international organizations in the 21st century. The students participated in educational workshops on the history of modern international organizations, the establishment of the United Nations (UN) organization during the Second World War, and fundamentals of Model United Nations. The students also represented assigned countries in interactive simulations of the UN General Assembly, including committee and plenary sessions held throughout the week. The students also competed in a Global Trivia Competition held each night of the summer camp.
The summer camp was funded by an Academic Enrichment for Gifted/Talented in Summer (AEGIS) grant awarded to the department by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). Dr. Mark Mullenbach, Associate Professor of Political Science, served as Summer Camp Director. Eight current or former UCA students, including Alex Battaglia, Erin Whitfield, Danielle Casey, Caroline Casey, Ellen McKinnie, Nick Cartwright, Michelle Moore, and Quade Reed, served on the summer camp staff as resident assistants/counselors. Guest speakers during the week included Hannah Foreman, an Intern at the Clinton Foundation and undergraduate student at Michigan State University; Bill Foreman, Director of Public Relations, Heifer International; and Honorable Jose Aguilar Salazar, Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Mexico in Little Rock.
